4. Ziegler s return: Patriots assistant director of player personnel Dave Ziegler played his cards well, gaining invaluable experience in interviewing for the Broncos GM post, making a favorable impression, and then returning to New England with what is expected to be a multiyear contract and pay bump as Nick Caserio s successor. Ziegler was probably a long shot to get the Denver job they ended up hiring Minnesota s George Paton but I viewed his decision to withdraw his name from consideration as a reflection of the decisiveness that has earned him a measure of respect in the Patriots offices over the past eight years.